Paperweight c. 1848 - 1855

Curator: So, here we have "Paperweight," made around 1848 to 1855 by the Baccarat Glassworks. Editor: This quirky sculpture of a coiled green snake encased in glass is intriguing! It’s far from the usual grand sculptures we've seen. I’m curious about your take on this rather unusual object. What elements stand out to you the most? Curator: The first thing I notice is the tension between the preciousness associated with glass and the industrial nature of its production at this time. The Baccarat Glassworks were a significant player in the rise of mass-produced luxury items. Do you think the playful nature of the snake softens or amplifies this tension? Editor: I think it certainly adds to the playful feel, especially juxtaposed with the formality often linked with glass art. Could the snake's material—seemingly not glass itself—point to anything about labour or craft? Curator: Precisely! Consider the unseen labor involved: from gathering raw materials, to the skill of the glassworkers, to the possible additional artist responsible for crafting this intricate serpentine figure within. The question then becomes, how does this mass-produced item mimic, yet differ from, traditionally ‘hand-made’ or unique works of art? Editor: It's fascinating to consider how this object, while seemingly simple, connects to the bigger picture of industrial and social shifts of that era. Thanks for pointing that out! Curator: My pleasure! This deeper understanding makes what initially appears to be just a decorative item so much more, right?